[Tip] Block Users from Opening Internet Explorer and Redirect them to Microsoft Edge in Windows 10

In this article, we’ll tell you how to block all users from opening or accessing classic Internet Explorer (IE) browser in Windows 10 and automatically redirect all attempts to open Internet Explorer to new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge web browser.

If you have a Windows 10 device or run an organization and you want to prevent or restrict users from launching Internet Explorer browser from Start Menu or any other shortcut (or using direct command iexplore.exe), here is a group policy and registry tweak which will completely block access to Internet Explorer web browser in Windows 10.

Once you apply this trick, as soon as a user tries to open Internet Explorer, Windows 10 will automatically launch new Microsoft Edge web browser instead.

While implementing this method, you can also decide to display a warning message containing “This action is restricted. For more information, please contact your system administrator.” text whenever a user tries to open Internet Explorer as shown in following screenshot:

Notify_Users_Internet_Explorer_IE_Launch_Restricted_Windows_10.png

You can block Internet Explorer access and redirect all users to Microsoft Edge browser using following methods:

METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)

Let’s discuss both methods one by one:

Table of Contents

METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type gpedit.msc and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer

3. In right-side pane, look for following option:

Disable Internet Explorer 11 as a standalone browser

Disable_Block_Internet_Explorer_IE_Access_Group_Policy_Windows_10.png

4. Double-click on the option and select Enabled to block access to Internet Explorer browser. Now select any of following options from the drop-down box:

Never – To NOT display warning message to users when they try to open IE
Always – To always display warning message to users whenever they try to open IE
Once per user – To display warning message to each user only once when the user tries to open IE first time

Block_Internet_Explorer_IE_Access_Redirect_Microsoft_Edge_Windows_10.png

Click on Apply and OK buttons.

That’s it. Now try to launch Internet Explorer and it’ll redirect to Microsoft Edge browser.

NOTE: In future, if you decide to allow access to Internet Explorer and stop redirecting to Microsoft Edge browser, set the above mentioned option to Default in Group Policy Editor.

METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)

If you are using Home edition of Windows 10, you’ll not be able to run gpedit.msc command because this edition doesn’t come with Group Policy Editor.

If you can’t use or don’t want to use Group Policy Editor, you can take help of Registry Editor for the same task. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

3. Select Microsoft key and right-click on it and select New -> Key option. Set the new key name as Internet Explorer

4. Now select Internet Explorer key and right-click on it and select New -> Key option. Set the new key name as Main

So the final key path would be as following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

5. Select Main key and in right-side pane, right-click on empty area and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

6. Set the new DWORD name as NotifyDisableIEOptions and set its value to any of following:

0 – To NOT display warning message to users when they try to open IE
1 – To always display warning message to users whenever they try to open IE
2 – To display warning message to each user only once when the user tries to open IE first time

Prevent_Restrict_Internet_Explorer_IE_Access_Registry_Editor_Windows_10.png

That’s it. It’ll immediately block all access to Internet Explorer browser and will redirect all users to Microsoft Edge browser.

PS: If registry method doesn’t work immediately, you’ll need to restart the computer to take effects.

NOTE: In future, if you decide to allow access to Internet Explorer and stop redirecting to Microsoft Edge browser, delete the above mentioned DWORD from Registry Editor.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

To be able to use above mentioned methods, your Windows version must meet following requirements (via):

Windows 10, version 2004, Windows Server version 2004, Windows 10, version 20H2: KB4598291 or later
Windows 10 version 1909, Windows Server version 1909: KB4598298 or later
Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server version 1809, and Windows Server 2019: KB4598296 or later
Windows 10, version 1607, Windows Server 2016: KB4601318 or later
Windows 10 initial version (July 2015): KB4601331 or later
Windows 8.1: KB4601384 or later
Windows Server 2012: KB4601348 or later